ASEAN must stay united to fight US tariffs: Malaysia
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan's call for a united front came in his opening speech at a meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
He also reiterated the bloc's call to warring parties in Myanmar to end hostilities in a deadly civil war that has killed thousands and displaced millions of people since a 2021 government takeover by the military.
"ASEAN nations are among those most heavily affected by the US-imposed tariffs," he said.
The US–China trade war is dramatically disrupting production and trade patterns worldwide.
"A global economic slowdown is likely to happen," Mohamad said.
"We must seize this moment to deepen regional economic integration, so that we can better shield our region from external shocks."
ASEAN countries, many of which rely on exports to the US, are reeling from tariffs imposed by the Trump administration ranging from 10 per cent to 49 per cent.
Six of the association's 10 member nations were among the worst-hit with tariffs ranging from 32 per cent to 49 per cent.
ASEAN unsuccessfully sought an initial meeting with the US as a bloc. When US President Donald Trump last month announced a 90-day pause on the tariffs, countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam swiftly began trade negotiations with Washington.
The meeting of foreign ministers preceded a planned ASEAN leaders' summit Monday in Malaysia, the bloc's current chair.
A summit is expected to follow on Tuesday with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and leaders from the Gulf Co-operation Council comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
ASEAN's unity is crucial as the region grapples with impacts of climate change and disruption from the malevolent use of artificial intelligence and other unregulated technologies, Mohamad said, adding that ASEAN's centrality will be tested by external pressure, including a superpower rivalry.
"External pressures are rising, and the scope of challenges has never had higher stakes," he said.
"It is therefore crucial that we reinforce the ties that bind us, so as to not unravel under external pressures. For ASEAN, unity is now more important than ever."
ASEAN remained committed to help war-torn Myanmar, which is recovering from a March earthquake that killed more than 3700 people, Mohamad said.
Myanmar's military leaders were barred from attending ASEAN meetings after refusing to comply with ASEAN's peace plan, which includes negotiations and delivery of humanitarian aid.
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Ukraine's economy minister and the key negotiator in the mineral deal with the US has been appointed as its new prime minister, becoming the country's first new head of government since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Yuliia Svyrydenko is one of a group of officials taking on new roles in Ukraine's government as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reshuffles the cabinet in a bid to energise a war-weary nation and boost domestic weapons production in the face of Russia's grinding invasion. At home, however, the cabinet recalibration has not been seen as a major shift as the Ukrainian leader continues to rely on officials who have proven their effectiveness and loyalty during the war, now in its fourth year. Zelenskiy submitted nominations on Thursday to shuffle top government positions, including the replacement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history. 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Ukraine's economy minister and the key negotiator in the mineral deal with the US has been appointed as its new prime minister, becoming the country's first new head of government since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Yuliia Svyrydenko is one of a group of officials taking on new roles in Ukraine's government as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reshuffles the cabinet in a bid to energise a war-weary nation and boost domestic weapons production in the face of Russia's grinding invasion. At home, however, the cabinet recalibration has not been seen as a major shift as the Ukrainian leader continues to rely on officials who have proven their effectiveness and loyalty during the war, now in its fourth year. Zelenskiy submitted nominations on Thursday to shuffle top government positions, including the replacement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history. Shmyhal moves to become defence minister, according to the parliamentary website. Other changes are expected in the cabinet, but Svyrydenko's appointment as prime minister is taking centre stage. She played a key role in negotiating a US-Ukraine mineral agreement, ensuring the terms were acceptable to Kyiv. Svyrydenko has frequently represented Ukraine in high-level talks with Western partners, focusing on defence co-operation, economic recovery and reconstruction. MPs and fellow officials describe her as a diligent executive with a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office. On Tuesday, Zelenskiy posted a photo with Svyrydenko and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, writing that the focus for the next six months would be increasing domestic weapons production, fully contracting all types of drones for Ukraine's defence forces, easing regulations to unlock economic potential, and ensuring delivery of social support programs. Shmyhal announced his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday. He held the position for more than five years after being appointed in March 2020. Ukrainian analysts and local media have rarely portrayed Shmyhal as an independent political figure or a counterweight to Zelenskiy. Like Svyrydenko, he is seen as loyal to the president and his team. His new post as defence minister means he is not leaving government entirely, but instead remains in the cabinet in a powerful role. The defence ministry commands one of the largest budgets and carries critical importance because of the war. Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov, who, although he sought to push reforms, saw his tenure marked by internal turbulence and persistent dysfunction in Ukraine's defence procurement system. Despite his active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry remained plagued by mismanagement. Ukraine's economy minister and the key negotiator in the mineral deal with the US has been appointed as its new prime minister, becoming the country's first new head of government since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Yuliia Svyrydenko is one of a group of officials taking on new roles in Ukraine's government as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reshuffles the cabinet in a bid to energise a war-weary nation and boost domestic weapons production in the face of Russia's grinding invasion. At home, however, the cabinet recalibration has not been seen as a major shift as the Ukrainian leader continues to rely on officials who have proven their effectiveness and loyalty during the war, now in its fourth year. Zelenskiy submitted nominations on Thursday to shuffle top government positions, including the replacement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history. Shmyhal moves to become defence minister, according to the parliamentary website. Other changes are expected in the cabinet, but Svyrydenko's appointment as prime minister is taking centre stage. She played a key role in negotiating a US-Ukraine mineral agreement, ensuring the terms were acceptable to Kyiv. Svyrydenko has frequently represented Ukraine in high-level talks with Western partners, focusing on defence co-operation, economic recovery and reconstruction. MPs and fellow officials describe her as a diligent executive with a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office. On Tuesday, Zelenskiy posted a photo with Svyrydenko and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, writing that the focus for the next six months would be increasing domestic weapons production, fully contracting all types of drones for Ukraine's defence forces, easing regulations to unlock economic potential, and ensuring delivery of social support programs. Shmyhal announced his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday. He held the position for more than five years after being appointed in March 2020. Ukrainian analysts and local media have rarely portrayed Shmyhal as an independent political figure or a counterweight to Zelenskiy. Like Svyrydenko, he is seen as loyal to the president and his team. His new post as defence minister means he is not leaving government entirely, but instead remains in the cabinet in a powerful role. The defence ministry commands one of the largest budgets and carries critical importance because of the war. Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov, who, although he sought to push reforms, saw his tenure marked by internal turbulence and persistent dysfunction in Ukraine's defence procurement system. Despite his active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry remained plagued by mismanagement.
